Top Performing Stocks To Own Right Now

Just as 2013 was a strong year for the broader stock market, it was also a solid year for consumer stocks. And, just as there was significant variation between the performance of the broader market�� sectors, so too was there a good deal of differentiation within the consumer stock arena.

While consumer cyclicals are up more than 35% over the past year, according to Morningstar, consumer defensive stocks (consumer staples) are up only about 18%. Perhaps that�� not too surprising, given that economic news was better than expected for the most part in 2013 ��the sort of environment that helps encourage more risk-taking on cyclical plays.

But that doesn�� mean you should shun consumer staples as we move into 2014��ven if you think the economy is going to continue to gain steam. In his most recent edition of What Works on Wall Street, quantitative investing guru James O��haughnessy examined decades worth of historical data and found that, over the long term, the best performing sector of the market has been consumer staples.

Top 10 Net Payout Yield Stocks To Buy For 2015: Quadrant 4 Systems Corp (QFOR)

Quandrant4 Systems Corp., formerly Zolon Corporation, incorporated on May 9, 1990, is focused in the information technology (IT) sector as a provider of Software as a Service (SaaS) based technology products to enterprise customers in addition to custom software development, life cycle maintenance, outsourcing and consulting services. The Company intends to provide IT consulting services; managed services; software product architecture; software development, maintenance and outsourcing and industry-specific software solutions primarily to enterprises engaged in the Financial Services, Retail and Healthcare sectors, but not limited to, IT services/solutions, managed services, software product architecture, development, maintenance and outsourcing, IT consulting and specific industry-focused software products and/or technology. On July 1, 2011, the Company merged VSG Acquisition Corp. and Resource Mine Acquisition Corp. into ISS Acquisition Corporation, all wholly-owned subsidiaries, which was then, renamed Quadrant 4 Consulting, Inc. Effective February 26, 2013, the Company acquired BlazerFish LLC, Teledata Technology Solutions Inc and Momentum Mobility.

Financial Services

The Company recognizes the changing regulatory environment as well as trends in the interaction between financial services providers and their customers and the role of technology and business-process solutions. It helps its customers implement customer-relationship-management tools based on newer trends and technology. Ite also helps its customers develop and maintain their technology infrastructure in light of regulatory factors, investing markets and demands for analysis.

Health Care and Life Sciences

In the Healthcare sector, the Company represent marketing opportunities. These opportunities are in part driven by regulatory climate while both payers and providers are recognizing that new set of technologies can play a role in achieving additional cost savings and efficiencies. I! t helps its customers integrate their needs of providing Healthcare services, managing information, managing preventive health services with the ever-increasing regulatory framework in which Healthcare services are provided. Its consulting services help customers deliver Healthcare or financing for Healthcare to get the affordability and availability to the patients using technology and business-processes in the areas of records management, billing, back-office services and service-provision analysis.

The Company competes with Accenture, IBM Global Services and Cap Gemini.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By idahansen]

  My pick of Quadrant 4 Systems (NASDAQ: QFOR) is up more than 360% and an article in today's Wall Street Journal provides much of the story!

  The article, "More Employers Overhaul Health Benefits" detailed the travails that companies are having with the onslaught of Obamacare. As the excellent Wall Street Journal article by Anna Wilde Mathews reported, major companies such as Sears Holding (NASDAQ: SHLD), Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI), and others are revising the way employees receive health insurance and other benefits. Some, such as United Parcel Services (NYSE: UPS), are dropping coverage for spouses.

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Eyes on The Go Inc (OTCMKTS: AXCG), Quadrant 4 Systems Corp (OTCMKTS: QFOR) and Cloud Security Corp (OTCMKTS: CLDS) were getting attention last week, but all three stocks trended downward on Monday. It should be mentioned that none of these stocks have been overly or heavily paid promotions. So what will these three small cap stocks do on the last trading day of the year and for the rest of this week? Here is a closer look:

• [By RedChip]

  Quadrant 4 Systems (OTCQB: QFOR), a provider of informational technology software and services, is focused on four key areas that are shaping the future of business: social media, mobile technology, big-data analytics, and cloud computing. According to market research firm IDC, these four areas are expected to account for $5 trillion in spending by 2020. QFOR's solutions help blue-chip companies such as Walgreens, Ford, Citibank, and Cisco improve their efficiency and better serve their customers.

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks 7 Star Entertainment Inc (OTCMKTS: SAEE), Quadrant 4 Systems Corp (OTCMKTS: QFOR) and Virtual Sourcing, Inc (OTCMKTS: PGCX) surged or rose 35%, 18.9% and 11.27%, respectively, on Friday. Moreover, all three small cap stocks have been the subject of paid promotions albeit they have not been as heavily promoted as a number of other stocks were last week. So will these three small caps keep rising this week or head in the other direction? Here is a closer look to help you decide:

Top Performing Stocks To Own Right Now: USEC Inc (USU)

USEC Inc. (USEC) is a global energy company, is a supplier of low enriched uranium (LEU) for commercial nuclear power plants. The Company operates in two segments: the low enriched uranium (LEU) segment with two components, separative work units (SWU) and uranium, and the contract services segment. The LEU segment is its primary business focus and includes sales of the SWU component of LEU, sales of both SWU and uranium components of LEU, and sales of uranium. The contract services segment includes work performed for Department of Energy (DOE) and its contractors at Portsmouth and Paducah, as well as nuclear energy services and technologies provided by NAC International Inc. (NAC). The Company supply LEU to both domestic and international utilities for use in about 150 nuclear reactors worldwide. The Company enriches uranium at the Paducah gaseous diffusion plant (GDP) that it leases from the United States DOE.

The Company is deploying advanced uranium enrichment technology, known as the American Centrifuge. USEC provide transportation and storage systems for spent nuclear fuel and provide nuclear and energy consulting services. It also performs contract work for DOE and its contractors at the Paducah and Portsmouth sites.

Low Enriched Uranium

The majority of the Company's customers are domestic and international utilities that operate nuclear power plants. During the year ended December 31, 2011, LEU segment�� international sales constituting 23% of revenue. Its agreements with electric utilities are primarily long-term, fixed-commitment contracts under which the Company's customers are obligated to purchase a specified quantity of SWU from the Company or long-term requirements contracts under which its customers are obligated to purchase a percentage of their SWU requirements from the Company.

Contract Services

The Company performs and earns revenue from contracts work through its subsidiary NAC and from contract work for DOE and DOE! contractors at the Paducah GDP and the site of the former Portsmouth GDP in Piketon, Ohio. NAC provides nuclear energy services and technologies, specializing in design, fabrication and implementation of spent nuclear fuel technologies including the high capacity MAGNASTOR system; nuclear materials transportation, and nuclear fuel cycle consulting services.

The Company competes with Urenco, Areva, State Atomic Energy Corporation and GE Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment (GLE).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap nuclear fuel stock USEC Inc (NYSE: USU) is up some 300% this week���meaning its worth taking a closer look at the company along with the performance potential uranium or nuclear stock peers Uranium Resources, Inc (NASDAQ: URRE), Denison Mines Corp (NYSEMKT: DNN), Ur-Energy Inc (NYSEMKT: URG) and Uranerz Energy Corp (NYSEMKT: URZ).

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Stocks on the Move: Chegg Inc. (NYSE: CHGG) is down 21.8% at $9.77 after the company�� IPO today. USEC Inc. (NYSE: USU) is up 57.2% at $XX after the U.S. left duties in place on imports of French low-enriched uranium. James River Coal Co. (NASDAQ: JRCC) is up 19.5% at $1.41.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Usec (USU) is a global energy company, which is a supplier of low enriched uranium for commercial nuclear power plants. This stock closed up 8.3% at $13.75 in Monday's trading session.

  Monday's Volume: 1.57 million
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 651,161
  
  Volume % Change: 227%

  From a technical perspective, USU bounced sharply higher here right off its 200-day moving average of $11.77 and back above its 50-day moving average of $13.36 with heavy upside volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last month, with shares moving lower from its high of $22.73 to its recent low of $12.12. During that move, shares of USU have been making mostly lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, the downside volatility might be over in the short-term for USU, since the stock has now started to bounce off key moving averages with volume.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in USU as long as it's trending above Monday's low of $12.12 and then once it sustains a move or close above Monday's intraday high of $14.66 with volume that hits near or above 651,161 shares. If we get that move soon, then USU will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $17 to $19.

• [By John Udovich]

  Since the start of the week, small cap nuclear fuel stock USEC Inc (NYSE: USU) more than doubled for investors, something that has not happened for investors in uranium stocks like Uranium Resources, Inc (NASDAQ: URRE), Denison Mines Corp (NYSEMKT: DNN), Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSEMKT: URG) and Uranerz Energy Corp (NYSEMKT: URZ). To recap: USEC Inc closed at the $6 level on Friday, but then it surged to the $15 level on Monday only to open at the $10 level on Tuesday when it ultimately closed at $12.46. So what in the world is going on with USEC Inc and is it time to revisit nuclear fuel and uranium stocks?

Top Performing Stocks To Own Right Now: TICC Capital Corp.(TICC)

TICC Capital Corp., a business development company, operates as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. The firm invests in both public and private companies. It invests in secured and unsecured senior debt, subordinated debt, junior subordinated debt, preferred stock, and common stock. The firm primarily invests in debt and/or equity securities of technology-related companies that operate in the computer software, Internet, information technology infrastructure and services, media, telecommunications and telecommunications equipment, semiconductors, hardware, technology-enabled services, semiconductor capital equipment, medical device technology, diversified technology, and networking systems sectors. It concentrates its investments in companies having annual revenues of less than $200 million and a market capitalization or enterprise value of less than $300 million. The firm invests between $5 million and $30 million per transaction. It seeks to exit its investments within 7 years. It serves as the investment adviser to TICC. The company was formerly known as Technology Investment Capital Corp. and changed its name to TICC Capital Corp. in December 2007. TICC Capital Corp. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, closed-end asset manager TICC Capital Corp. (NASDAQ: TICC  ) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  TICC Capital (NASDAQ: TICC) is estimated to report its Q4 earnings at $0.28 per share on revenue of $28.43 million.

  Fuel-Tech (NASDAQ: FTEK) is expected to post its Q4 earnings at $0.06 per share on revenue of $29.00 million.

Top Performing Stocks To Own Right Now: Zale Corp (ZLC)

Zale Corporation, incorporated on April 26, 1991, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a retailer of fine jewelry in North America. The Company operates in three segments: fine jewelry, kiosk jewelry and all other. As of July 31, 2012, the Company operated 1,124 specialty retail jewelry stores and 654 kiosks located mainly in shopping malls throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Company�� fine jewelry segment consists of five brands: Zales Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Zales Outlet, Mappins Jewellers, and Gordon's Jewelers The Company�� kiosk jewelry operates under the brand names Piercing Pagoda, Plumb Gold, and Silver and Gold Connection (collectively, Piercing Pagoda) through mall-based kiosks. The Company provides insurance and reinsurance services for various types of insurance coverage, which is marketed primarily to its private label credit card guests, through Zale Indemnity Company, Zale Life Insurance Company and Jewel Re-Insurance Ltd.

Fine Jewelry

Each brand specializes in fine jewelry and watches, with merchandise and marketing emphasis focused on diamond products. Zales Jewelers is the Company's national brand in the United States providing moderately priced jewelry to a range of guests. Zales Outlet operates in outlet malls and neighborhood power centers and capitalizes on Zales Jewelers' national advertising and brand recognition. Gordon's Jewelers is a value-oriented regional jeweler. Peoples Jewellers, Canada's fine jewelry retailer, provides guests with shopping experience. Mappins Jewellers offers Canadian guests a selection of merchandise from engagement rings to fashionable and contemporary fine jewelry.

The Company has extended its reach of certain brands through the use of its Webstores, mobile devices and social media to provide its guests access to its brands wherever and whenever they choose. In addition, the Company offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on substantially all of its mercha! ndise in Fine Jewelry. The Company also offers repair services to guests who do not purchase warranty coverage. Zales Jewelers (Zales), the Company's United States based flagship, is a brand name in jewelry retailing in the United States, operating 639 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,681 square feet. Gordon's Jewelers (Gordon's) operates 147 stores in 27 states and Puerto Rico with an average store size of 1,534 square feet.

The Company�� Zales brand is positioned as the Diamond Store emphasizing on diamond jewelry, especially in the bridal and fashion segments. Zales and Gordon's combined revenues accounted for 60% of the Company's total revenues during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012). Both brands operate as multi-channel retailers and serve Internet guests through the e-commerce sites www.zales.com and www.gordonsjewelers.com, which accounted for approximately 5% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012.

In Canada, the Company operates 206stores in nine provinces. The Company's Canadian operations consist of two brands, Peoples Jewellers (Peoples) and Mappins Jewellers (Mappins), and accounted for 17% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 1,605 square feet with an average transaction value of $332 in fiscal year 2012. Peoples serves Internet guests through the e-commerce site, www.peoplesjewellers.com. The Company operates 132 Zales Outlet (Outlet) stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 10% of its total revenues in fiscal 2012. The average store size is 2,362 square feet in fiscal 2012.

Kiosk Jewelry

The Company�� kiosk jewelry segment is focused on the opening price point jewelry guest. The Company's presence in Kiosk Jewelry has been expanded through the e-commerce site, www.pagoda.com. The Company also offers its guests the option to purchase warranty coverage on certain products. As of July 31, 2012, Piercing Pagoda op! erated 65! 4 locations in 41 states and Puerto Rico, sales from which accounted for 13% of the Company's total revenues in fiscal. Piercing Pagoda offers collection of bracelets, earrings, charms, rings, non-precious metal products and 14 karat and 10 karat gold chains, as well as a selection of silver and diamond jewelry, all in basic styles at moderate prices. Kiosk locations average 188 square feet in size in fiscal 2012.

All Other

The Company insurance companies are the insurers (either through direct written or reinsurance contracts) of the Company's guests' credit insurance coverage. In addition to providing merchandise replacement coverage for certain perils, credit insurance coverage provides protection to the creditor and cardholder for losses associated with the disability, involuntary unemployment, leave of absence or death of the cardholder. Zale Life Insurance Company also provides group life insurance coverage for the Company's eligible employees. In fiscal year 2012, 36% of the Company's private label credit card purchasers purchased some form of credit insurance. In fiscal year 2012, all other accounted for approximately 1% of the Company's total revenues.

The Company competes with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., .C. Penney Company, Inc., Signet Jewelers Limited, and QVC, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Kell]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Zale Corp.(ZLC), Herbalife Ltd.(HLF) and Devon Energy Corp.(DVN)

Top Performing Stocks To Own Right Now: MTR Gaming Group Inc.(MNTG)

MTR Gaming Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in racing, gaming, and entertainment businesses in the United States. It owns and operates Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort, which is a diverse gaming, entertainment, and convention complex in Chester, West Virginia that consists of approximately 2,132 slot machines, 14 poker tables, and 45 casino table games; 357 hotel rooms, including 256-room Grande Hotel at Mountaineer; a convention space; a live thoroughbred horse racing facility; the Woodview Golf Course; a theater and events center; a fitness center; and an on-site pari-mutuel wagering facility. The company also operates Presque Isle Downs & Casino property, which comprises 2,070 slot machines, 44 casino table games, and 9 poker tables; and provides live thoroughbred horse racing and on-site pari-mutuel wagering services in Erie, Pennsylvania. In addition, it operates Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack, a live harness racing track in Columbus, Ohio; and Ra celinebet.com, a national account wagering service that offers online and telephone wagering on horse races. The company was formerly known as Secamur Corporation and changed its name to MTR Gaming Group, Inc. in 1996. MTR Gaming Group, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in Chester, West Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Equities Lab]

  The stocks that currently pass the stock screen in order of market cap are Frontier Communications Corp , Crown Media Holdings (CRWN), Vonage Holding (VG), MCG Capital Corp (MCGC), 1-800-FLOWERS.COM (FLWS), MTR Gaming Corporation (MNTG), Alaska Communications (ALSK), and Enzon Pharmaceuticals (ENZN).